Elon Musk’s model mother, Maye, knew she was a genius at the age of three

Elon Musk is now the richest person in the world with a net worth of $ 187 billion, and while her mother Maye Musk realized she was a genius when she was a child, she admitted that she did not always know if The CEO of SpaceX was destined for greatness.

The 72-year-old model promoted Paperback release of her book A Woman Makes a Plan on CBS This Morning, Monday, when she detailed how her children, Elon, 49, Kimbal, 48, and Tosca, 46, discovered their passions at an early age.

– At three, I knew [Elon] he was a genius, “Maye told hosts Gayle King and Anthony Mason,” but you still don’t know if he’s going to do great things, because a lot of geniuses just end up in a basement being a genius, but they don’t apply it. ”

Scroll down for the video

Proud mother: Maye Musk, 72, spoke about her three children, Elon, 49, Kimbal, 48, and Tosca, 46, in while appearing Monday on CBS this morning

Proud mother: Maye Musk, 72, spoke about her three children, Elon, 49, Kimbal, 48, and Tosca, 46, in while appearing Monday on CBS this morning

Wow: While Elon (center) is the richest man in the world with a net worth of $ 187 billion, Kimbal (far right) founded a chain of restaurants from the farm to the table, and Tosca (far left) is a director

Wow: While Elon (center) is the richest man in the world with a net worth of $ 187 billion, Kimbal (far right) founded a chain of restaurants from the farm to the table, and Tosca (far left) is a director

The proud mother remembered how her eldest son played a computer game at the age of 12, which impressed a group of engineering students.

“They said, ‘Wow, he knows all the shortcuts,'” she said to show them the game.

Maye suggested to young Elon that she send the game to a magazine, and she did so, earning $ 500.

“I don’t think they knew he was 12,” she said. – So it was a good start.

One of Elon’s first businesses ventures with the software company Zip2, which he co-founded with his brother, Kimbal and Greg Kouri, with funds from a group of angel investors, including his mother.

Looking back: Maye said each of their children found their individual passions at an early age while growing up in South Africa

Looking back: Maye said each of their children found their individual passions at an early age while growing up in South Africa

Memories: Maye said she knew Elon was a genius when she was just three years old, but she wasn't always sure she was destined for greatness.

Memories: Maye said she knew Elon was a genius when she was just three years old, but she wasn’t always sure she was destined for greatness.

Developing Engineer: Maye remembers how Elon made a computer program game at the age of 12 for which he received $ 500 after sending it to a magazine

Developing Engineer: Maye remembers how Elon made a computer program game at the age of 12 for which he received $ 500 after sending it to a magazine

“I was so excited when Zip2 started, because it simplified life with door-to-door directions, and then the newspapers could have a connection that would take you to a restaurant,” Maye recalled.

“I know it’s common now, but this was extremely unusual and people didn’t think it was possible. That’s why I invested in it right from the start – even though I didn’t have much money. ‘

“Then he thought the banking system needed help, so he made PayPal,” Maye continued. “Then after that, he said, ‘Well, should they do space research or solar or electric cars? “And I said, ‘Choose just one,’ and of course he didn’t listen to me.

When asked if she owns a Tesla, Maye said, “Of course, [Elon] makes me the best.

Elon and his partner Grimes met their son X Æ A-Xii in May. He shares too five children with his first wife Justine, whom he separated in 2008. They have 17-year-old twin sons, Griffin and Xavier, and 15-year-old triplets, Kai, Saxon and Damian.

Supporter: The model said she invested in Elon Zip2 in 1995, remembering how

Supporter: The model said she invested in Elon Zip2 in 1995, remembering how “excited” she was when she co-founded the software company with Kimbal and Greg Kouri.

Children: Elon shares 17-year-old twins, Griffin and Xavier, and 15-year-old triplets, Kai, Saxon and Damian with his ex-wife Justine (pictured with ex-fiancée Talulah Riley and sons in 2010)

Children: Elon shares 17-year-old twins, Griffin and Xavier, and 15-year-old triplets, Kai, Saxon and Damian with his ex-wife Justine (pictured with ex-fiancée Talulah Riley and sons in 2010)

The newest Musk: Elon's youngest child, eight-month-old X Æ A-Xii - whom he shares with music artist Grimes - was born in May

The newest Musk: Elon's youngest child, eight-month-old X Æ A-Xii - whom he shares with music artist Grimes - was born in May

The newest Musk: Elon’s youngest child, X Æ A-Xii, eight months old (left) – which he shares with music artist Grimes (right) – was born in May

Elon may be the eldest and most famous of her children, but his brothers are just as remarkable. His brother, Kimbal, founded a chain of restaurants from the farm to the table, and his sister, Tosca, is a filmmaker.

Their career choices are no surprise to their mother, who watched them pursue their interests from an early age while growing up in Pretoria, South Africa.

Maye admitted that Kimbal started cooking because she didn’t like the food she made when they were older.

“I’m not a great cook, so he has restaurants,” she explained. He also makes vegetable gardens in underserved schools, as he believes children should always have vegetables and fruits.

“And then, of course, Tuska was in the movies,” the mother of three continued. “He simply liked each film, he remembered each one and wanted to get into the film business, which I discouraged a lot, of course.

Good example: Maye said her mother (photographed with Maye as a child) never worried about aging or wrinkles and never retired until she was 96

Good example: Maye said her mother (pictured with Maye as a child) never worried about aging or wrinkles and never retired until she was 96

Ascending status: Maye is as impressive as her children, after finding her greatest success as a model in the 60's and 70's

Ascending status: Maye is as impressive as her children, after finding her greatest success as a model in the 60’s and 70’s

Exciting: Maye (presented with Gayle King in January 2020) appeared on CBS on Thursday this morning to promote the paper release of her book A Woman Makes a Plan

Exciting: Maye (presented with Gayle King in January 2020) appeared on CBS on Thursday this morning to promote the paper release of her book A Woman Makes a Plan

“Who wants to be in the film industry?” she said with a laugh. “And now it has its own platform, Passionflix. Everyone does the work they enjoyed doing. ‘

Maye is as impressive as her children, after finding her greatest success as a model in the 60s and 70s. The dietitian made history in 2018, when she became the face of CoverGirl at the age of 69, and her career its model continues to thrive.

“My mother never had an age problem,” she recalled. “No one could tell him he was getting old.” He retired at the age of 96, but before that, he never talked about wrinkles, aging or anything.

“She has always been positive and has always learned, being educated and I think this is a good example,” she continued. “As I was 60, people were talking about aging and the fear of aging, and I was like, ‘Why are you afraid of aging? ”

Maye noted that when women turn 50, they are afraid of losing their jobs, but men at this age “become CEOs and presidents.”

– So what is it about? she asked. “We have to change that. If someone makes you feel bad about your age, say goodbye.

.Source